TTMA IN THE NEWS
Business Insight – TTMA’s Blueprint for a ‘Trade Hub’
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association wants Trinidad and Tobago to become the ‘regional manufacturing powerhouse’, and is hoping to build a major Caribbean Trade and Convention Centre somewhere in Central Trinidad. In this evening’s Business Insight, Sunil Lalla tells us about the plans of the new TTMA President, who is ready to “manufacture” some excitement in the industry. Read more here
NEWS
Teen carries granny to the beach
Public holidays provide a perfect opportunity for families to use the downtime together, renewing a bond that may fall on the wayside as they carry on through the often tedious daily routines. One Vistabella family was determined to ensure their matriarch was not left out of the Easter Monday public holiday fun at Vessigny Beach. Encumbered by mobility issues Grace Douglas, 68, was lifted across several meters of shoreline into and out of the waters by her grandson Zion Callendar, 19. It was not an issue for the young man because the entire beach day was for his grandmother. Read more here
CPSO pleased with US shipping negotiations
Caricom Private Sector Organization (CPSO) chairman Gervase Warner said he is pleased with the US Trade Representative (USTR) determination issued on April 17 that has exempted Caribbean shipping from high port fees on China-built vessels. In a release on April 19, the CPSO said USTR proposed over US$1 million for each US port call. It said this would have increased the cost of shipping between the Caribbean and the US, with crippling consequences for inflation, shortages, delays and other supply-chain disruptions for the region. Read more here
POLITICS
Deyalsingh claims voter buying in Aranguez/St Joseph
PNM candidate for Aranguez/St Joseph Terrence Deyalsingh warned young men in the constituency about people in black vans offering drugs, alcohol and money to support a political party. Deyalsingh, in a video on social media on April 21, appealed to the young men, saying while what is being offered is temporary, what his party offers will be able to feed them and their families for a lifetime. “There are two black pick-ups driving through the constituency. In those two black pick-ups they are bringing bags of money, they are bringing weed, Hennessey, Rude Boy and bullets. Read more here
Rowley gives Tobago ‘last speech’ as politician
Dr Keith Rowley has hinted that his speech at the Goodwood Secondary School on Saturday night may be his final political address as leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) to Tobagonians. He also warned voters to stay away from politicians who “talk nonsense” and to use their vote wisely. “I have nothing more to say to you in Tobago. This is the last speech I am making in Tobago as a politician,” Rowley told the gathering during his presentation. He recalled his first political speech in Tobago decades ago and said his journey had come full circle. “I made my first speech in Belle Garden in 1980 during the first-ever House of Assembly at that election. I accompanied Bonnie Padmore to Belle Garden. That’s where I spoke for the first time on a platform for the PNM, and tonight, I speak for the last time in Goodwood,” he said. Read more here
BUSINESS
Global Trinidad and Tobago: New Era for trade, investment
With a bold mandate to achieve 20 per cent year-on-year growth in exports and investment, Global Trinidad and Tobago is poised to set a new standard for national economic ambition. The newly rebranded agency, formerly the TT Trade and Investment Promotion Agency launched last November, was unveiled on April 15, at Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain. It is designed to unify the country’s trade and investment promotion efforts and aims to position TT among the world’s top ten trade and investment promotion agencies within five years. Read more here
Caricom welcomes change
Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) EP Chet Greene has welcomed the revised measures announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding practices. United States President Donald Trump plans to impose a US$1 million to US$1.5 million levy on all Chinese-made ships entering US harbours, and Caribbean countries have warned that such a policy will lead to increased inflation and severely hamper their respective economies. Read more here
REGIONAL
Easter Monday: A tapestry of kites, culture, and community
From the early morning hours, the stretch from Non Pareil along the East Coast corridor to the bustling streets of Georgetown came alive in classic Guyanese style—vibrant, chaotic, and full of joy—as families, vendors, and kite enthusiasts poured out in droves for the beloved Easter Monday kite-flying celebration. The coastline, from Ogle to Kitty Roundabout, transformed into a festival of colours and community. Tents, stalls, bars, and recreational gear peppered the seawall and Vlissengen Road as families carved out their little corner of celebration. By mid-morning, weeder men were already at work prepping the parapets, while vendors rushed to ice beverages and finish setting up food stalls. The scene was a hustle of last-minute arrangements, filled with anticipation and the smell of curry and fried snacks wafting through the breeze. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
US sets tariffs of up to 3,521% on South East Asia solar panels
The US Commerce Department has announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 3,521% on imports of solar panels from four South East Asian countries. It comes after an investigation that began a year ago when several major solar equipment producers asked the administration of then-President Joe Biden to protect their US operations. The proposed levies - targeting companies in Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam - are in response to allegations of subsidies from China and the dumping of unfairly cheap products in the US market. A separate US government agency, the International Trade Commission, is due to reach a final decision on the new tariffs in June. Read more here
22nd April 2025